Coating apparatus for tubular objects

ABSTRACT

A pair of elastomeric coated drums is arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the lower of the pair of drums is positioned rearwardly, or offset from, the longitudinal axis of the upper of the pair of drums to thereby provide a receiving area on the lower drum for receiving a mixture of aggregate, cement, and water. One of the drums of the pair is mounted so that it may be moved along its support toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the other drum, and it may be adjusted to any desired position, up and down, in spaced relation to the other drum. As the drums are rotated, the mixture deposited on the lower drum will be conveyed between the drums and impelled onto the surface of a tubular member. The angle or direction of the stream discharged from between the drums may be changed by moving and positioning one of the drums relative to the other drum. The desired angle of discharge of the stream depends upon the diameter of the tubular member being coated. The drums are elastomeric coated to provide a more uniform surface for contacting and impelling the mixture from between the drums in a more uniform stream, and the elastomeric coating is wear resistant.

United States Patent Findley et al.

[ 1 June 20, 1972 [541 COATING APPARATUS FOR TUBULAR OBJECTS [72] Inventors: Anthony W. Findley, Bellechasse, La.;

Jesse M. Rogers, Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Anchor-Wate Company [22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 117,607

Primary Examiner-John P. Mclntosh Attorney-Jack W. Hayden [57] ABSTRACT A pair of elastomeric coated drums is arranged so that the 1ongitudinal axis of the lower of the pair of drums is positioned rearwardly, or offset from, the longitudinal axis of the upper of the pair of drums to thereby provide a receiving area on the lower drum for receiving a mixture of aggregate, cement, and water. One of the drums of the pair is mounted so that it may be moved along its support toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the other drum, and it may be adjusted to any desired position, up and down, in spaced relation to the other drum. As the drums are rotated, the mixture deposited on the lower drum will be conveyed between the drums and impelled onto the surface of a tubular member. The angle or direction of the stream discharged from between the drums may be changed by moving and positioning one of the drums relative to the other drum. The desired angle of discharge of the stream depends upon the diameter of the tubular member being coated. The drums are elastomen'c coated to provide a more uniform surface for contacting and impelling the mixture from between the drums in a more uniform stream, and the elastomeric coating is wear resistant.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHZO I372 3. 670 696 Jade, Magda ATTORNE Y COATING APPARATUS FOR TUBULAR OBJECTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved arrangement for applying a cementitious coating to tubular members.

Various devices have been provided and are suggested in the prior art for impelling a cementitious mixture onto the surface of a tubular object. For example, the prior art shows paired round brushes which receive the cementitious mixture therebetween and impel the mixture onto a tubular member. Such arrangement, however, is disadvantageous for several reasons. The brush means wears quite rapidly and unevenly so that not only is frequent replacement thereof required, but the uneven wearing of the brush means causes the material to be propelled between the brushes in an uneven manner so as to make it more difficult to provide a coating of uniform thickness on the tubular member.

Also, the brushes must flex to accommodate the passage of the mixture therebetween, and the amount of flexing may not be uniform which, in turn, affects the uniformity of the stream being impelled therefrom onto the tubular member.

Some difficulty is encountered in feeding the mixture in a proper and unifonn manner between the brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above and other disadvantages of the prior art in that it provides a pair of elastomeric coated drums for receiving cementitious aggregate therebetween; the drums are in a predetermined position relative to each other, and as the drums are rotated, the cementitious aggregate is discharged in a stream at a desired angle onto a tubular member.

Since the drums are elastomeric coated, it has been found that a more even coating may be applied on the tubular member and that the elastomeric coating tends to resist wearing and abrasion which occurs with the brush means of the prior art.

Also, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art in that it provides a unique arrangement for receiving the mixture between the drums for discharge therebetween. This is accomplished by arranging the drums in a predetermined offset relationship so that a receiving area is fon'ned on one of the drums for receiving the mixture thereon so that as the drums are rotated, the mixture is moved between the drums and impelled or discharged therefrom and onto the tubular member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for supporting a pair of drums so that upon rotation, material may be discharged therebetween in a stream.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for supporting a pair of drums so that upon rotation, material may be discharged therebetween in a stream, one of the drums being adjustable relative to the other drum so that the angle of discharge of the stream may be changed, depending upon the diameter of the tubular member against which the stream is to be directed.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for supporting a pair of drums so that upon rotation, material may be discharged therebetween in a stream and means for adjusting and spacing one of the drums relative to the other drum with a minimum of effort so that the angle of discharge of the stream may be quickly and easily changed to coat tubular members of varying diameter.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the various components including the paired drums of the present invention arranged for receiving a cementitious mixture from mixing means and impelling it onto the surface of a tubular member;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the drums to illustrate in greater detail the elastomeric coating on the drums as well as the shafts which extend along the longitudinal axis of each of the drums and projects beyond the end of each of the drums so that suitable bearing and pulley means may be provided for each of the drums for rotation of the drums;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrating in greater detail a suitable structure for supporting the upper and lower drums, and more particularly, an arrangement for supporting the upper drum so that it can be moved along its support toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the lower drum and an arrangement for maintaining the upper drum in any desired spaced up and down relation to the lower drum; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 2 which is circled illustrating in greater detail an adjusting arrangement for the drums.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Attention is first directed to FIG. I of the drawings wherein suitable means for mixing cement, aggregate, and water is represented generally by the numeral 10. The cement and aggregate may be dumped into the mixer 10 through the receptacle 11, and water may be discharged into the mixer means 10 in any suitable manner as schematically represented at 13.

The mixer 10 is illustrated as being in the form of a combination screw conveyer and mixer which conveys and mixes cement, aggregate, water, and any weighting substance or other additive desired through the housing 16 for discharge through the opening 17. The conveyer 15 is rotatably mounted within the housing 16 by any suitable bearing means generally represented at 18 and rotation may be imparted to the mixer 15 by the motor 20 which has pulley means 22 mounted on the motor shaft 23 with a belt 24 connected therewith and to the pulley means 25 mounted on the shaft 26 of the combination screw conveyer and mixer 15.

As diagrammatically represented in FIG. 1, a pair of drums referred to generally at 25a is mounted so that one of the drums 26a is above the drum 27a. The lower drum 27a is arranged so that the longitudinal axis thereof represented at 28 is in a vertical plane which is rearward of, or offset from, the longitudinally extending axis 29 of the upper drum 260 as illustrated in the drawings. This arrangement provides a receiving area referred to generally at 30 on the lower drum 27a for receiving the mixture from the mixing means 10.

The discharge opening 17 from the housing 16 of the mixer 10 is arranged above the endless conveyer mounted on drums 38 and 39, the drum 38 being somewhat larger in diameter than the drum 39 as illustrated in the drawings. The endless conveyer 35 extends about the drums 38 and 39, and the smaller drum is adjacent and above the receiving area 30 on the lower drum 27a for conveying the mixture from the mixer 10 and discharging the mixture onto the receiving area 30 on the drum 27a. A motor means 40 having pulley means 42 mounted on its shaft 43 is provided with a belt 44 which connects with the pulley means 45 on the shaft 46 of the drum 38 for imparting continuous movement to the endless conveyer 35.

The tubular member 50 which is to receive the mixture as it is propelled in a stream as represented at 51 from between the upper and lower drums 26a and 27a is adapted to be moved longitudinally in front of the upper and lower drums 26a and 27a and is moved along its longitudinal axis while simultaneously being rotated about its longitudinal axis so that the stream 51 sprays the mixture onto the exterior surface of the tubular member 50.

As illustrated in the drawings, suitable track means 52 are provided for receiving the rollers 53 on which is supported the carriage 56. Suitable motor means (not shown) are provided in the carriage 56 for imparting rotation to the rollers 58 on which the tubular member 50 is carried on cam'age 56 for rotating the tubular object about its longitudinal axis and the motor means also imparts movement to the wheels 53 on the carriage 56 for moving the carriage 56 and the tubular member 50 supported thereon along the tracks 52. It can be appreciated that at least a pair of carriages 56 supports the tubular member 50 to maintain it in proper alignment with the stream 51 as the tubular member is rotated and moved laterally across the path of stream 51.

In FIG. 2, the upper and lower drums 26a and 27a are shown as being each coated with an elastomeric coating 60 which aids in impelling the mixture from between the drums and simultaneously inhibits uneven wearing such as occurs where brush means have been employed in the prior art. The uneven brush wear may provide an uneven discharge of mix ture and an uneven coating on the tubular member 50.

Shafts 70 and 71 form the longitudinal axis of each of the drums 26a and 27a and project beyond the ends of each of the drums 26a and 27a as shown so that suitable bearing arrangements as illustrated generally at 72 may be provided for accommodating rotation of the shafts 70 and 71 and the drums 26a and 27a with which they are connected. Pulley means 73 and 74 are provided, respectively, on each of the shafts 70 and 71 for receiving belt means, respectively, as illustrated at 76 and 77 in FIG. 3 which, in turn, is connected with the shaft of motor means 78 for imparting rotation to each of the drums 26a and 27a.

In FIG. 3, the details of a fonn of support means for the drums 26a and 2711 are referred to generally at 80. Spaced vertically extending supports 84 are provided and secured thereto are laterally extending frame members 81 which are spaced to receive the drum 27a therebetween (only one member 81 is visible in FIG. 3, however, both are shown in FIG. 2). Suitable bearing means 72 are mounted on each frame member 81 and receive the ends of the shaft 71 therein to support the drum 27a for rotation. The motor means 78 may be mounted on the frame members 81 in any suitable manner as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The endless conveyer is illustrated at 35 in FIG. 3 with the mixture 90 thereon being discharged onto the receiving area 30 of the lower drum 27a.

It will be noted that the upper drum 26a is shown as being offset relative to the lower drum 27a. Suitable frame members 83 are spaced to receive drum 26a therebetween. A bracket 86 is provided on members 84 adjacent their upper ends with a pivot rod 87 extending therethrough and through the rear end of each of the spaced frame members 83 for pivotally supporting the frame members 83 and drum 26a on the vertical frame members 84. It will be noted that, as shown, the frame members 83 extend generally parallel to the frame members 81 which support the lower drum 27a. The drum 26a is supported on frame members 83 so that the drum 26a may be positioned along frame members 83 toward and away from a vertical plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the lower drum 27a.

As illustrated in the drawings, FIGS. 3 and 4, the means to accommodate movement or adjustment of the drums, such as drum 260, along the frame members 83 comprises slots or openings 100 in the portion 83a on each side of the web 8312 of each frame member 83. Suitable means such as a nut and bolt arrangement referred to at 101 extend through the openings or slots 100 and through openings 102 in bearings base 103 which carries bearing 72 to retain the bearing means 72 which support the shaft 70 at any position along the frame members 83. The bearing means 72 at each end of shaft 70 is adapted to be adjusted in this manner.

An additional adjustment referred to generally at 105 is provided for raising or lowering frame members 83 and drum 26a supported thereon relative to drum 27a and maintaining drum 26a in a predetermined spaced relation to drum 27a.

These adjustments enable the angle of the stream 51 to be varied to direct the stream 51 from between drums 26a and 27a in a proper and desired manner onto a tubular object of a particular diameter.

For example, in FIG. 1, a tubular member 50 having a given diameter is shown with the stream 51 impinging thereagainst in a desired manner to coat the tubular member 50. As illustrated in FIG. 3, an imaginary plane through the longitudinal axis of drums 26a and 27a is represented at 104. The stream 51 represented in FIGS. 1 and 3 discharges from between drums 26a and 27a at approximately a right angle relative to the plane 104 as shown.

However, when a smaller diameter tubular member as represented in dotted line at 500 of FIG. 1 is to be coated, then it can be seen that the relationship of drums 26a and 27a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 will discharge stream 51 therefrom at an improper angle to hit and coat tubular member 500.

By adjusting drum 26a on supports 83 and by the adjustment represented at 105 drum 26a may be moved to the dotted line position 26a. An imaginary plane through the longitudinal axis of drums 26a and 27a in this adjusted position is shown at 107. The stream 51 of mixture discharging from between rotating drums 26a and 27a in this adjusted position is represented by the dotted arrow 108. Thus, the angle of discharge of the stream 51 may be varied to suit the diameter of the tubular member to receive the stream 5 1.

The adjustment 105 may be any suitable form and is shown as comprising a turnbuckle arrangement between each frame member 83 and support 84 and including opposite threaded shafts 109 and 110 which are threaded into the connecting link 1 11.

While the invention has been described wherein the upper drum 26a is adjustable relative to the lower drum, it seems apparent that the reverse could be employed.

The frame members 83 also support motor means 78 which provides power through belt 76 for rotating drum 26a.

Also, it can be appreciated that belt means 76 and 77 will have to be changed if necessary to accommodate adjustment of drum 26a.

Also, should some large undesirable aggregate or foreign substance come through the mixing apparatus 10 and by conveyed to the receiving area 30, the elastomer coating on drums 26a and 27a accommodates movement of the irregularly sharper or undesired object or debris between the drums 26a and 27a without damage to the drums 26a and 27a.

Also, since the drums 26a and 27a are coated with elastomeric 60 as previously noted, they present a relatively smooth and even surface which while being somewhat resilient, is substantially firm so as to impel the material therethrough in a desired manner to discharge in a uniform stream and at a desired angle.

Where roller brush means are employed as in the prior art, the brushes are flexible and may tend to impel the aggregate in an uneven manner onto the surface of the tubular member and also wear quite rapidly.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying a coating of cementitious material to a tubular member comprising:

a. means for mixing cement, aggregate, and water and for discharging the mixture from the mixing means;

b. a pair of elastomeric coated rotatably mounted drums for receiving the mixture and propelling it therebetween to be discharged on the tubular member;

c. said drums having their longitudinal axis offset so that the lower of said pair is rearward of the upper drum to provide a receiving area for receiving the mixture between said pair of drums;

d. means for conveying the mixture from the mixer for discharge on the receiving area of the lower of said pair of drums;

e. means for rotating said pair of drums to convey the mixture therebetween and propel it onto a tubular member; and

f. support means supporting said drums in spaced relation, said support means including means to adjust the position of one of the drums relative to the other drum to adjust the angle of discharge of the mixture from between the drums.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said conveying means comprises an endless belt and means for moving said endless belt.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said support means for said upper drum includes spaced support arms, means pivotally mounting said arms at a pivot position spaced from said upper drum, and adjustable means for maintaining said upper drum in a predetermined spaced relation to said lower drum.

4. The invention of claim 1 including shaft means extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said drums and on which said drums are carried, said shafts projecting beyond each of said drums at each end thereof with bearing means supporting said shaft at each end of said drums, and pulley means mounted on each of said shafts.

5. The invention of claim 4 including motor means with belt means connecting said motor means and pulley means for rotation thereof.

6. The invention of claim 4 including adjustable means for maintaining said bearing means of at least one of said shafts at any predetermined position along said drum support means whereby the longitudinal axis of said drums may be adjusted toward and away from each other and maintained in a predetermined position.

7. The invention of claim 1 including means for moving a tubular member along its longitudinal axis while simultaneously rotating the tubular member about its longitudinal axis in spaced relationship to said pair of drums for receiving the mixture impelled therebetween on the surface of the tubular member.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means associated with said support means includes means to adjust and maintain the drums in a predetermined vertically spaced relationship.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means associated with said support means includes means to adjust and maintain the drums in a predetermined laterally offset relationship.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means associated with said support means includes means to adjust and maintain the drums in a predetermined vertically spaced relationship and in a predetermined laterally offset relationship.

l I t i t 

1. Apparatus for applying a coating of cementitious material to a tubular member comprising: a. means for mixing cement, aggregate, and water and for discharging the mixture from the mixing means; b. a pair of elastomeric coated rotatably mounted drums for receiving the mixture and propelling it therebetween to be discharged on the tubular member; c. said drums having their longitudinal axis offset so that the lower of said pair is rearward of the upper drum to provide a receiving area for receiving the mixture between said pair of drums; d. means for conveying the mixture from the mixer for discharge on the receiving area of the lower of said pair of drums; e. means for rotating said pair of drums to convey the mixture therebetween and propel it onto a tubular member; and f. support means supporting said drums in spaced relation, said support means including means to adjust the position of one of the drums relative to the other drum to adjust the angle of discharge of the mixture from between the drums.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said conveying means comprises an endless belt and means for moving said endless belt.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said support means for said upper drum includes spaced support arms, means pivotally mounting said arms at a pivot position spaced from said upper drum, and adjustable means for maintaining said upper drum in a predetermined spaced relation to said lower drum.
 4. The invention of claim 1 including shaft means extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said drums and on which said drums are carried, said shafts projecting beyond each of said drums at each end thereof with bearing means supporting said shaft at each end of said drums, and pulley means mounted on each of said shafts.
 5. The invention of claim 4 including motor means with belt means connecting said motor means and pulley means for rotation thereof.
 6. The invention of claim 4 including adjustable means for maintaining said bearing means of at least one of said shafts at any predetermined position along said drum support means whereby the longitudinal axis of said drums may be adjusted toward and away from each other and maintained in a predetermined position.
 7. The invention of claim 1 including means for moving a tubular member along its longitudinal axis while simultaneously rotating the tubular member about its longitudinal axis in spaced relationship to said pair of drums for receiving the mixture impelled therebetween on the surface of the tubular member.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means associated with said support means includes means to adjust and maintain the drums in a predetermined vertically spaced relationship.
 9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means associated with said support means includes means to adjust and maintain the drums in a predetermined laterally offseT relationship.
 10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means associated with said support means includes means to adjust and maintain the drums in a predetermined vertically spaced relationship and in a predetermined laterally offset relationship. 